King of Fools is a studio album by British Christian rock band Delirious?, initially released in June 1997.

[1] The full-length project showcased a new mainstream sound, whilst retaining many of the core themes found in their Cutting Edge EPs.

Stylistically, the album epitomises the band's similarity to U2, an influence which was highlighted by several critics on its release.

song, "History Maker", which the band regularly played live throughout their whole career.

They played regularly at the "Cutting Edge" Christian events held in their hometown of Littlehampton.

In August 1995, a major car accident involving lead singer Martin Smith, his wife, and bassist Jon Thatcher, left the former badly injured.

Smith went through a period of depression,[3] before being partly inspired by Bill Flanagan's book U2: At the End of the World, which he read in the hospital, to be in the band full-time.

took part in an extensive promotional campaign which included playing to 50,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium, and an appearance on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast programme.

"White Ribbon Day" was a song inspired by the political situation occurring in Northern Ireland at the time.

41, meaning that it narrowly missed out on the UK Top 40 chart show on BBC Radio 1.

[4] Music videos were filmed for "Deeper" and "Promise" to coincide with their respective single releases.

Crosswalk praised the album, stating "...if you're looking for something tame and lacking originality, you're in the wrong place!

MTV noted that "King of Fools has echoes of '80s U2, but the band accentuates the Christian undertones in Bono's lyrics, creating a modern rock record that resonates with spirituality.

supported the album by launching a ten date tour of the United Kingdom during October and November 1997.

[19] Titled the 'd:tour', shows sold out at venues in Folkestone, Leicester, Grimsby, Manchester, London, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Cornwall and Exeter before finishing in front of a packed crowd in Southampton Guildhall, near the band's hometown of Littlehampton.